Winding method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for forming a wound yarn package on a winder having a rotary traverse cam and a cooperating follower yarn guide for traversing a strand of yarn as it is wound onto the package. The winder is equipped to synchronize ribbon breaking, scattering, and shortening of the traverse stroke of the yarn guide, for slowly or rapidly winding a cheese (or cone) shaped yarn package usually with tapered end faces so that the package is suitable for very rapid over-end unwinding within tolerable yarn breakage limits, as on a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;shuttleless&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; loom. A package drive roll is operated at constant speed and the traverse cam speed is varied in the neighborhood of 10 to 30 percent or more to provide a form of ribbon breaking and constantly varying high and low wind ratios. Scattering is provided at opposite end portions of the package for a length sufficient to avoid hard corners at the opposite end faces of the package. Traverse stroke shortening is not always required but, depending on the characteristics of the yarn, is generally desirable for tapering the end faces to deter stitching. Stroke shortening and scattering are accomplished by axial shifting of the rotary traverse cam. The ribbon breaking and scattering features are synchronized so that the sharpest yarn reversals are provided at the end faces with broader reversals immediately inwardly of these faces.

United States Patent 1191 Richter WINDING METHOD AND APPARATUS I [75] Inventor: Hans H. Richter, Warwick, R1. [73] Assignee: Leesona Corporation, Warwick, RI.

[221 Filed: Apr. 5, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 131,213

[52] US. Cl. ..242/18.1, 242/43, 242/431 [51] Int. Cl. ..B65h 54/38, B65h 54/32 .[58] Field of Search. ..242/18.l, 159,43, 242/411 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,965,322 12/1960 Wiering ..242/43.l X 3,241,779 3/1966 Bray et al. ..242/l8.l 3,310,248 3/1967 Have ..242/43 3,350,021 10/1967 Marciniak 242/43.l X 3,393,879 7/1968 OBrien ..242/l8 1 3,402,898 9/ 1968 Mattingley ..242/ l 8.1 X 3,408,014 10} 1968 Fisher ..242/l8.l X 3,434,673 3/1969 Brouwer et a1. ..242/l8.l 3,606,197 9/1971 Akers ..242/l8.1

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,125,331 3/1962 Germany ..242/43.1

Primary ExaminerStanley N. Gilreath Attorney-Albert P. Davis and Burnett W. Norton Apr. 17, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT A method and apparatus for forming a wound yarn package on a winder having a rotary traverse cam and a cooperating follower yarn guide for traversing a strand of yarn as it is wound onto the package. The winder is equipped to synchronize ribbon breaking, scattering, and shortening of the traverse stroke of the yarn guide, for slowly or rapidly winding a cheese (or cone) shaped yam package usually with tapered end faces so that the package is suitable for very rapid over-end unwinding within tolerable yarn breakage limits, as on a shuttleless loom. A package drive roll is operated at constant speed and the traverse cam speed is varied in the neighborhood of 10 to 30 percent or more to provide a form of ribbon breaking and constantly varying high and low wind ratios. Scattering is provided at opposite end portions of the package for a length sufiicient to avoid hard corners at the opposite end faces of the package. Traverse stroke shortening is not always required but, depending on the characteristics of the yarn, is generally desirable for tapering the end faces to deter stitching. Stroke shortening and scattering are accomplished by axial shifting of the rotary traverse cam. The ribbon breaking and scattering features are synchronized so that the sharpest yarn reversals are provided at the end faces with broader reversals immediately inwardly of these faces.

8 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEI] APR I 7 I975 SHEET 1 [1F 2 FIGG 70 FIG. 2

INVENTOR HANS H. RICHTER y/M E AT TORNEYS WINDING METHOD AND APPARATUS This invention relates to winding and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for winding a yarn package.

As used herein the term package means a body of yarn wound so that it may be readily moved from place to place. The term yarn" is employed in a general sense to apply to all kinds of strand material, either textile or otherwise. The term ribbon breaking means varying the relative speed of the cylindrical surface of the package and the traversal speed of the yarn being I wound onto the package. The term scattering means varying the relative axial positions of at least a portion of the yarn reversals or the traversal strokes of the yarn. The term wind ratio means the number of revolutions of the package during a complete to and fro traversal of the yarn axially of the package.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a new and useful method and apparatus for forming a wound yarn package.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic, side view of a preferred embodiment of apparatus for forming a wound yam package, with a portion of the apparatus in position providing a high wind ratio, and with parts broken away or omitted for clearer illustration;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, schematic side view of a portion of FIG. 1, in position providing a low wind ratio, and with parts broken away or omitted for clearer illustration;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic front and top views, respectively, taken generally along the lines 3A*3A and 3B-3B, respectively, in FIG. 1, with parts broken away or removed for clearer illustration, and these figures are associated on the sheet to more clearly illustrate the apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, foreshortened, schematic bottom view taken generally along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3A, with a part in phantom lines for clearer illustration; and

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are lengthwise views of the package in progressive stages of winding, the package shape shown in FIG. 3A being intermediate the shapes shown in FIGS. and 6.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1 through 3B of the drawings, all of the following parts are connected with a fixed base (not shown).

A package core 10 on which a yarn package 12 is wound, is mounted for rotation with a chuck l4 suitably secured to free end of an arm 16 of a package support 18 which is mounted for pivotal movement on a shaft 20 suitably secured to the frame. A suitable counterweight 22 may be secured to the package support 18 for controlling the pressure exerted by the growing package 12 on a drive roll 24. This roll 24 is fixed to a shaft 26 suitably journaled on the frame. One end of the shaft 26 is fixedly secured to a belt wheel 28 (FIG. 3A, not shown in FIG'. 1) which receives a belt 30 from a larger belt wheel 32 fixed on the shaft 34 of a drive motor 36 which is preferably operated at constant speed during winding of the package 12. Thus, the package 12 is rotated by the drive roll 24 at an operationally generally constant lineal speed of the cylindrical surface 38 of the package 12, thus providing a substantially constant yarn winding speed.

Mechanism for traversing a strand of yarn 40 from a suitable source of supply, (not shown) and onto the rotating package 12 includes a rotary traverse cam 42 suitably keyed to a traverse shaft 44 for rotation therewith and axial sliding movement thereon. The shaft 44 is suitably journaled on the frame. The traverse cam 42 has a continuous generally helical groove 46 (FIG. 3A) with relatively broad reversals 48 at either end. Only one reversal 48 is visible in FIG. 3A. The groove 46 receives a follower yarn traverse guide 50 which is slidably mounted on a rod 52 suitably fixedly mounted on the frame and parallel to the traverse shaft 44.

The traverse cam 42 is rotated at varying speeds for providing ribbon breaking. As may best be seen in FIGS. 3A and 3B, rotation of the traverse cam 42 is provided through a timing belt wheel 54 fixed on an end of the traverse cam shaft 44 and receiving a timing belt 56 from one sprocket 58 of a dual timing belt wheel 60 which is freely rotatable on a pivot shaft 62 suitably fixed to the frame. The other sprocket 64 of the dual timing belt wheel 60 receives a timing belt 66 from a timing belt wheel 68 fixed to a swing shaft 70 journaled on the free end of a swing arm 72 which is journaled at its other end on the pivot shaft 62. A large belt wheel 74 is fixed to the swing shaft 70 and receives a suitable belt 76 from an automatically variable diameter wheel 78 of any suitable type well known in the art, and having its hubs fixed to a driven worm shaft 80.

The belt wheel 74 on the swing arm 72 is swung in an arc toward and away from the variable diameter wheel 78 by means of a speed varying cam 82, to be described. As the swing arm 72 is swung away from the variable diameter wheel 78 (FIG. 1) the belt 76 is slightly tensioned and is drawn further into the groove formed by opposed, automatically axially movable, opposed flanges 84 of the variable diameter wheel 78, so that the lineal speed of the belt 76 is decreased and through the belt drive previously described the speed of the traverse cam 42 is decreased. As the arm 72 is swung toward the variable diameter wheel 78 (FIG. 2), the flanges 84 of this wheel are automatically drawn together and the diameter of the belt 76 about the wheel 78 increases, thus increasing the speed of the belt 76 and therefore the rotational speed of the traverse cam 42. As previously noted, the variable diameterwheel 78 is fixed on the worm shaft 80, which is suitably journaled on the frame, and is driven by a timing belt drive including a timing belt wheel 86 fixed to the shaft and receiving a timing belt 88 from a timing belt wheel 90 fixed on an end of the drive roll shaft 26 opposite the end which receives the belt 30 from the motor 36.

The swing arm 72 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3A) is swung by the speed varying cam 82 which is fixed on a shaft 92 suitably journaled on the frame and driven through a timing belt wheel 94 fixed to this shaft and connected by a timing belt 96 with another timing belt wheel 98 fixed on a gear shaft 100 suitably journaled on the frame and carrying a gear 102 of a gear reduction assembly 104 which is driven by a worm 106 on the worm shaft 80 which carries the variable diameter wheel 78.

The speed varying cam 82 is shaped generally as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and is rotated clockwise, as indicated by the arrow 108 in FIGS. 1 and 2. From the low speed position of the cam 82, as shown in FIG. 1, rotation of the cam causes rapid acceleration of rotation of the traverse cam 42 to high speed (FIG. 2), in about one-quarter rotation of the speed varying cam 82, and then slow deceleration back to low speed of the traverse cam 42.

With initial reference to FIG. 3A, scattering is provided by a rotary scattering cam 110 fixedly mounted on a scattering cam shaft 112 suitably journaled on the frame. Fixed to the shaft 112 is a large timing belt wheel 114 receiving a timing belt 116 from a smaller timing belt wheel 118 fixed to and driven by the speed varying cam shaft 92. The scattering cam 110 has a continuous generally helical groove 120 which receives a follower pin 122 at one end of a scattering rod 124 which is slidably mounted on the frame. At its opposite end, the scattering rod 124 is pivotally connected (FIG. 4) by a pin 126 to the mid-portion of a generally L- shaped yoke member 128 having opposed yoke arms 130 (FIG. 1) embracing, and each secured to the outer race 132 of a rotary ball bearing 134 by outwardly extending pins 136 fixed to the outer race 132 and extending through holes in the ends of the yoke arms 130. The inner race (not shown) of the bearing 134 is co-axially fixed to the traverse cam 42. Another arm 138 of the L-shaped member 128 is pivotally connected (as at 140, FIG. 1) to a slide 142 which is slidably on a sinebar 144 (which will be described later) so that as the scattering rod 124 is reciprocated by the scattering cam 110, the traverse cam 42 is reciprocated axially along its shaft 44.

Shaping, for example, as by tapering or forming frusto-conical opposite end faces 146 of the package, may be accomplished in various manners, and herein is provided for by a sine-bar" mechanism 148 which is automatically continuously adjusted responsive to increase in the outside diameter of the package 12. Shaping is accomplished by continuously reducing the traverse stroke of the traverse guide 50. It should be clearly understood that the stroke of the traverse guide 50 is not necessarily the same as the over all stroke imparted to the traverse cam 42 by the scattering cam 110, nor is it necessarily the same as the stroke distance between the reversals 48 of the groove 46 in the traverse cam 42. Now, as mentioned immediately above, the desired shape, such as a taper, is provided the end faces 146 of the package 12 by reducing the traverse stroke of the traverse guide 50. The traverse stroke of the guide 50 is a composite of: (l the length (or stroke) in an axial direction between the reversal points 48 of the groove 46 in the traverse cam 42, (2) the axial stroke of the scattering rod 124 which is determined by the axial length between the reversal points of the groove 120 in the scattering cam 110, and (3) the sine-bar mechanism 148 which lessens the stroke components provided by the traverse cam 42 and the scattering cam 110, depending on the setting of the sinebar mechanism 148.

The sine-bar mechanism 148 includes the sine bar 144, the lower face of which carries a fixed lug 150 (FIGS. 1 and 3A) which, in turn, is pivoted on a bracket 152 suitably fixed to the frame. One end of the sine bar 144 carries a fixed extension arm 154, the free end of which is pivoted by a pin 156 to one end ofa link 158, the opposite end of the link carrying a universal connection 160 which is secured to the annular face of a timing belt wheel 162 journaled on a shaft 164 suitably fixed to the frame. This wheel 162 receives a timing belt 166 from a larger timing belt wheel 168 fixedly secured to the package support 18 so that as the package 12 grows in diameter, the wheel 168 is continually rotated, thus rotating the smaller wheel 162 to which the link 158 is connected, thus altering the angular disposition of the sine bar 144. The sine bar 144 slidably receives the slide 142 on the L-shaped yoke 128 so that the axial movement imparted to the traverse cam 42 by the L-shaped yoke is continually altered to reduce the stroke of the traverse cam and therefore the stroke of the traverse guide 50. When the sine bar 144 is parallel to the reciprocating scattering rod 124, the full stroke of the scattering cam is imparted to the traverse cam 42, thus providing the maximum stroke of the traverse guide 50.

Both the length of the link 158 and the position of its universal connection may be adjusted. The length of the link 158 is adjusted by a connection (FIG. 4) including a pair of bolts 170 extending through a longitudinally extending elongated slot 172 in one section 174 of the link and holes (not visible) in a section 176 of the link, and secured in adjusted position by nuts. The initial position of the universal connection 160 of the link 158 with the timing belt wheel 162 may be adjusted in any suitable manner, for example by an adjustable connection (not illustrated) between the hub of the wheel 162 and its shaft 164, or by repositioning the teeth of the timing belt 166 in the notches in the timing belt wheel 162.

With reference to FIG. 5, winding of the package 12 is started on the cylindrical core 10 and as winding progresses the scattering effect provides slight tapering or frusto-conical surfaces 178 of the end faces 146 and these surfaces diverge inwardly of the package 12. The stroke reduction of the traverse guide 50, provided by the sine-bar mechanism 148, provides similarly diverging tapered or frusto-conical surfaces 180 outwardly of the surfaces 178. From the package shape shown in FIG. 5, as the package increases in diameter it assumes the shape shown in FIG. 3A, and then the shape shown in FIG. 6 and the final shape shown in FIG. 7. The surfaces 180 of the end faces 146, as provided by the sinebar mechanism 144, preferably form generally radially straight frusto-conical end faces 146, and may be discontinued before the final layers of yarn winds are wound onto the package, as shown by the shape of the finished package in FIG. 7.

One aspect of the method of forming the package is the result of synchronization of ribbon breaking and scattering so that relatively sharp yarn reversals are provided along the end faces of the package to deter stitching (a yarn reversal extending loosely outwardly from the normal contour of the end face). The ribbon breaking variation in relative speed of the cylindrical surface 38 of the package 12 and the variation in yarn traversal speed is such that the peripheral yarn reversals forming the end faces 146 are sharper than the reversals immediately inwardly of the end faces 146 at the end portions of the package 12. Thus, the wind ratio (revolutions of the package during a complete to and fro yarn traversal cycle) is such that the sharp reversals are Iayed in conjunction with a low wind ratio which continues during a sufficient long period of time to lay at least one complete circle or spiral of the sharp reversals along the end face. Then the wind ratio is progressively shifted to a high wind ratio with the resultant yarn reversals spaced immediately inwardly from the end faces 146 being relatively broad and scattered axially of the end portions of the package 12. The length of scattering at each end portion need be just sufficient to avoid hard corners. To avoid stitching along the end faces, with certain yams-the end faces may be concavely frusto-conical and diverge inwardly with increased package diameter, or they may be slightly convexly arched without detrimental effect.

Another aspect of the method of forming the package is its stability which results from a combination of a series of groups each containing lower wind ratio layers and higher wind ratio layers. The lower wind ratio layers contribute to axial stability of the package and the higher wind ratio layers contribute to circumferential or diametrical stability of the package. Additionally, the higher wind ratio layers, which may be considered as comprising approximately threefourths of the finished package, increase the yarn capacity for a given finished diameter, over the yarn capacity which the package wound have if wound primarily with lower wind ratio layers. Also, particularly during unwinding of the package, the higher wind ratio layers are less disposed to slough-off than are the lower wind ratio layers. Additionally, because the wind ratio is constantly changing, adjacent convolutions of the layers are not parallel, thus further substantially contributing to decreasing any tendency of the yarn to slough-off of the package during unwinding.

In this regard, it is important to note that by providing a large variation in rotational speed of the traverse earn 42, for example ten to thirty percent, or more, sharp yarn reversals are provided along the end faces 146 of the package 12 because of the relatively high cam speed during this period, although the groove 146 in the traverse cam 42 may have relatively broad reversals 48. As is well understood in the art, the reversal angles of the traverse cam are a limiting factor in maximum rotational speed at which the cam may be driven. Both avoidance of excessive wear along the cam groove reversals 48, and avoidance of excessive wear of the about 5 A inches between traverse cam groove reversals. The time for winding the layers of one group of layers is preferably about 14 seconds. Scattering of about A inch is provided at each end of the package at the start of winding, and about 3/32 inch of scattering is provided at a final outside diameter of the package of inches.

While this invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment in a particular environment, various changes may be apparent to one skilled in the art and the invention is therefore not to be limited to such embodiment or environment except as cam follower yarn traverse guide, as 50, limit the maximum operational speed of the traverse cam. Thus,

broad groove reversal 48 permit the rotational speed of the traverse cam 42 to be substantially increased, thus increasing the over all winding speed which may be obtained. Winding 'speed is also limited by the mass or weight of. the cam follower traverse guide 50. Obviously, the mass of the guide should be kept as low as possible. Therefore, scattering and stroke shortening is accomplished by axial movement of the traverse cam 42, rather than by direct connection of actuating linkage with the traverse guide 50.

By way of example, a yarn package, as previously discussed, may be wound with a 33/1, 50 percent polyester and 50 percent cotton yarn strand on a 3 inch outside diameter core with a normal tension of the yarn being advanced to the package of about 30 grams and a yarn speed of about 850 yards per minute. Variation in wind ratio is preferably between about a low wind ratio of 5 M1 and a high wind ratio of about 7, and

set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A method of forming a wound package comprising, advancing a strand to a rotating member for winding thereon, traversing said strand in a path axially of said member to form a plurality of overlying layers of said strand, forming relatively sharp angle reversals of said strand proximate to the ends of predetermined I layers and relatively broad angle reversals of said strand proximate to the ends of predetermined layers. axially inwardly upon said package from said relatively sharp angle reversals and, varying the positions of said relatively sharp angle and relatively broad angle reversals relative to the axial midpoint of said package.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of varying the positions of the relatively sharp angle and relatively broad angle reversals includes the step of moving said relatively sharp and relatively broad angle reversals progressively inward toward the axial midpoint of said package as the strand is traversed onto said package.

3. A method accordingly to claim 2 wherein the forming of said relatively sharp and relatively broad angle reversals of the strand comprises varying the speed at which the strand is traversed onto said package.

4. A method according to claim 3 where said strand is advanced to the rotating member at a substantially constant rate.

5. Apparatus for winding a strand onto a rotating member to form a package comprising, means for traversing said strand in a path axially of said member to form a plurality of overlying layers of said strand,

, means for forming relatively sharp angle reversals of said strand proximate the ends of'predetermined layers and relatively broad angle reversals of said strand proximate the ends of predetermined layers axially inwardly upon said package from said relatively sharp angle reversals and, means for varying the positions of said relatively sharp and relatively broad angle reversals on said package relative to the axial midpoint thereof.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said means for varying the positions of said relatively sharp and relatively broad angle reversals on said package includes means for progressively moving said relatively sharp and relatively broad angle reversals inwardly toward the axial midpoint of said package as the strand is traversed onto said package.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said means for forming said relatively sharp and relatively broad angle reversals comprises means for varying the speed of said traversing means.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 including means for driving said member at a substantially constant rate to wind said strand. 

1. A method of forming a woUnd package comprising, advancing a strand to a rotating member for winding thereon, traversing said strand in a path axially of said member to form a plurality of overlying layers of said strand, forming relatively sharp angle reversals of said strand proximate to the ends of predetermined layers and relatively broad angle reversals of said strand proximate to the ends of predetermined layers axially inwardly upon said package from said relatively sharp angle reversals and, varying the positions of said relatively sharp angle and relatively broad angle reversals relative to the axial midpoint of said package.
 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of varying the positions of the relatively sharp angle and relatively broad angle reversals includes the step of moving said relatively sharp and relatively broad angle reversals progressively inward toward the axial midpoint of said package as the strand is traversed onto said package.
 3. A method accordingly to claim 2 wherein the forming of said relatively sharp and relatively broad angle reversals of the strand comprises varying the speed at which the strand is traversed onto said package.
 4. A method according to claim 3 where said strand is advanced to the rotating member at a substantially constant rate.
 5. Apparatus for winding a strand onto a rotating member to form a package comprising, means for traversing said strand in a path axially of said member to form a plurality of overlying layers of said strand, means for forming relatively sharp angle reversals of said strand proximate the ends of predetermined layers and relatively broad angle reversals of said strand proximate the ends of predetermined layers axially inwardly upon said package from said relatively sharp angle reversals and, means for varying the positions of said relatively sharp and relatively broad angle reversals on said package relative to the axial midpoint thereof.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said means for varying the positions of said relatively sharp and relatively broad angle reversals on said package includes means for progressively moving said relatively sharp and relatively broad angle reversals inwardly toward the axial midpoint of said package as the strand is traversed onto said package.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said means for forming said relatively sharp and relatively broad angle reversals comprises means for varying the speed of said traversing means.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7 including means for driving said member at a substantially constant rate to wind said strand. 